Pipe-flanging machine.



No. 867,333. PATENTED 'ocT'." 1, 1-907,

J. H. ALLEN & F. M. PATTERSON. PIPE FLANG ING MACHINE,

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 26, 1907. I

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED ocT. 1, 1997. J. H; ALLEN 33 F. M. PATTERSON.

PIPE PLANGINGMAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, 1907.

. 3 sums-3113M 3,

wi l'meg 13p 0. M

nnrrsn STATES Parana or es.

" JOHN H. ALLEN AND FRANKLIN M. PATTERSON, OF PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA;

PIPE-FLANGING MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 1, i907.

Application filed March 25,1907. Serial No, 364,254.

Our invention hilSulOiOlGllCG to pipe flanging machines and consists ofcertain improvements which are fully set forth in the followingspecification and shown in the accompanying drawings which form a partthereof. 2 I

\ The object of our invention is to provide mechanical appliances whichwill be easily and speedily controlled and which, during theirmanipulation, will produce the expansion of the end of the pipe in theflange or ring to which it is to besecured, the said operation beingaccomplished in an inexpensive manner and with the most satisfactoryresults as to strength, tightness of joint;

and durability.

Our invention consists essentially in the employment of a sectionalexpanding die of special construcproper relation during the expandingoperation.

' inFigs. l and'd; "Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion Morebroadly, our invention comprehends the expanding die when formed withprojections or ribs, intcgral or otherwise, upon the outer surfaces ofthe sections'and which when in alinement, form annular projections whichexertdirect outward pressure upon the internal portion of thepipe forexpanding the parts thereof which are in contact with the expanding diemore or less into the annular recesses or grooves on the internal faceof the flange to'which the pipe is to be united, the contact beingespecially tight at the corner edges of thesaid grooves. v

Our invention further consists in providing a suitable framework havingmeans for-supporting the sectional hanging machine embodying ourinvention; Fig. 2-is an end elevation of same; Fig. 3- is an elevationof our improved expanding die with a portiorrre'inoved; Fig.

4 is an end elevation ofsame; Fig. 5 is an elevation of annodifiedform'ofou-r improved expanding die witha,

portion removed; Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate other modifications in thecross section of segments of the expanding die; Fig. 8 is an elevationof a pipeand flange with part 7 in sceti on united by the employment ofthe dies shown shown in Fig. 7.

of the joint thereof; Fig. 10 is an elevation of the pipe and flangewhen formed by the employment of the dies shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 11 is anenlarged view of the joint in same; and Fig. 12 is an elevation of apipeand flange with part in section whenunitcd by the form of dies Aisthe base orbed oithe machine and maybe of any 7 construction.

13 is a cast steel housing and is bolted to the bed.- Sleeved in thishousing B is a hydraulic cylinder 0, the same being clamped in positionby means of a large of the cylinder is sustained by a divided support Bclamping the cylinder and bolted to the bed.

E is a piston working in the cylinder and is secured to the piston rodor plunger'E, which, for accuracy in alinement, is not only'cxtendedthrough the forward head of the cylinder but also through the rear head.It is evident, however, that various forms of hydraulic cylinders andplungers may beemployed for the purposes of our invention, but we haveshown herewith that form which we have found excellently adapted to thepurposes of our tool. Wateror other power is applied to this cylinder ateither. end as desired for reciprocating the piston and plunger. The endof the plunger is provided with a'sock'et G in which the arbor H issecured in a detachable manner so that various sized arbors may beemployed.with the same machine.

F is a cast steel housing having, a large circular aperture preferablyformed with steps, as at 'i. This housing is bolted to the bed frame andis in alinemcnt with the housing B and connected to it by strong bolts fwhereby it is accurately and rigidly held in position with relation tothe hydraulic cylinder. The axis of the plunger and arbor is preferablycentral with the aperture in the housing F. Fitted to the aperture ofthe housing is a removable abutment ring I which is also stopped on itsperiphery to cooperate with the stops on the housing F as indicated inFig. 1. This abutment ring I is annular in form, having a centraltapering segments arranged in a circle so as to form an annular die ofspecial construction.- The various segments making'upthe expanding (liearehcld together by suitable springs L which are circular in form andare. adapted :to seats or aperture s1 in the/segments.

The spring rings are prcfe1'ably,of'solid steel wire split at one placein their circumference as indicated in dotted lines in. Fig. 4. Thecross section of thc scg- I ments is clearly shown in the drawings andcomprises against the abutment ringI as shown .in Fig.- 1, saidcorrespond to the tapering of the arbor H. Furthermore, the segments aretransversely curved on their inner and outer surfaces so thatf when theseveral segments K making up the die are arranged side by side in acircle, the ultimate or complete die is substantially conical, that isto say it has a conical-central aperture and its outer diameter islarger at one end than the other although the particular operating partof .the die adjacent to the ribs k ispreferably made cylindrical exceptfor the extension of the said ribs, so as to be in practical alinementwith the interior surface of the pipe when the expanding operation iscompleted.

The pipe is shown at P and the pipe flange 1s indicated at T, in Fig. 1.Referring to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the union of the pipe and thepipe flange consists in having theinterior of the pipe expanded into oneor more annular grooves at p and thereby forcing those portions of thepipe outwardly into the grooves t of the pipe flange. 1

By referring to Fig. 9, it will be seen thatthc actual joint, both forstrength and tightness, is produced by the sharp corner edges of thegrooves t of the pipe flange being embedded in the metal of the expandedportion of the pipe. It will, morcover bc seen that the pipe itself isnot expanded tightly into the cylindrical portion of the pipe flange norinto the bottom of the annular groove t thereof. Such expansion is notat all necessary as we have found by careful experiment, and moreover,by avoiding this, there is less power necessary in producing the joint,and consequently, a very much smaller machine is required.- Furthermore,it is evident that as there .is more or less elasticity to metal, themetal of the pipe will have no reflex action where the expansion doesnot attempt to force it'up to a continuous contact with the pipe'flange,and consequently, the actual joints at the points S S (Fig. 9) are moresecure and tight than would be the case if an attempt were made to forcethe metal to tlsebottom of the 'groovesand against the inner-surface ofthe'flange throughout its length. Such construction is however somewhatmodified when the pipe is of very ductile metal, such as copper, whichhas a tendency to retain its set position after being subjected toconsiderable pressure; but for wrought iron or steel pipes, we havefound it more desirable that contact with the bottom of the grooves andthe inner surface of the flange throughout their length shall not beemployed.

When employing our improved IIIZLChlIIGfOl expand ing pipe in itsflange, the arbor H together with its operating mechanism is withdrawnfrom the die J. i

The pipe with the flange in place is then brought to the position shownin Fig. 1 and may be heldby hand or any suitable convenient device. Theexpanding die .I is then placed into the end of the pipe and with theflanges K resting against the annular abutment ring I, and the arbor isthen driven forward through the flangng die to expand its sections andthe annular ribs k thereof are forced outward against the internalsurface of the pipe, producing specific expansion thereof at localizedplaces as indicated in Figs. 8 and 9. When the arbor is Withdrawn, thedie is retained by the pipe sufliciently long to release the die frombinding upon the arbor, and after the withdrawal of the arbor, the diemay be withdrawn from the pipe and the operation repeated'.

It is evident that while we have shown two of these annular ribs k onthe die, one or more may be employed as desired. Two are preferable, butinsome cases one would be suflicient. For finish and furtherstrengthening of the joint, we may provide two additional annular ribsupon the die sections, as indicated at k, and this will produce theexpanded portions at m, m shown in Fig. 10 adjacent to the front andrear edges of the pipe flangeso that they will make the pipe fit tightlyat these points as well as in the actual grooves in the pipe flange. Itis, of course, evident that either .one or both of said flanges it maybe employed as desired. 3

In some cases, the joint may be made as shown in Fig. 12. In this case,there is only one annular groove in the pipe flange. The face side,however, of the pipe flange is recessed adjacent to its inner edge as atn. The preferred form of expanding die for this character of joint isshown in Fig. 7, in which the annular ribs I: produce the expansion ofthe pipeto force it into the annular groove of the flange and in whichthe larger of the ribs 1: produces the expansion of the pipe adjacent tothe grooved edge of the pipe flange at n, and the smaller annular rib 1;produces a slight expansion of the pipe at n adjacent to the oppositeend of the pipe flange. This illustration also indicates the use of acopper pipe and in which it is expanded tightly to the interior of theflange.

In the-operation of llanging pipe by our improved machinepit is evidentthat the expansion of the die J will produce some separation between theseveral segments, and consequently these points of separation will notpermit the die to act upon the pipe with the same effect as if therewere no such gaps. To overcome this possible result, the expansion ispreferably accomplished by two operations, that is to say, firstexpanding the die'within thc pipe to produce approximately the properexpansion, then collapsing I the die somewhat, turning it slightly andonce more expanding it to complete the operation before withdrawing thetool. In the use of the machine, it is preferable thati-t shall beoperated in the customary manner whereinthere are two accumulators, oneto produce the rapid movements of the plunger wherein great power is notrequired, and the other to apply the final power as when producing thefinal results desired.

In Fig. (i, we have shown the spring L at one end of the die segments asplaced over hooked portions constituting seats in place of being putthrough the body' of the die as shown in the other end and also in Figs.3 and G. A

In Fig. 5, we show the ribs of the die formed of separate parts L whichalso constitute the springs or at least a part of them for holding thedie segments together. In this manner also there will be less breakingof joints in the alincment of the ribs. These parts L correspond to theribs 1; and are included under the term rib employed in the claims.

By carefully examining;- Figs. l0 and ll, it will be seen that theactual grooves L in the pipe flange are not rectangular in Fig. 8, butthat tlie'slmulders 0r corners of these grooves are turned withrectangular lateral grooves t which form abrupt shoulders for thelodgment of the metal. It will be seen from Fig. 1]. that in this case,not only do we have the annular corners of thc pipe flange entering themetal ol' the pipe, but we also have oppositely directed portions ol thematerial entering the grooves in the pipe. llange,

,thereby forming a double joint between the pipe and the flange andstill without the main body of p the pipe flange and the bottom of itsgroove being reached by the metal of the pipe. This joint is perhapsbetter -than the joint shown in Fig; 8 and is not materially moreexpensive. 'lhe-principle 0i construction and mode of forming is,however, substantially the same.

We have described several joints between the pipe and flange which areproduced by the employment of our improved dies and machine, and whilewe make no claim to said joints in'tliis application, said joints willform subject matter of separate applications.

While our invention is designedi'or large work in which a motive power,such as a hydraulic machine, is employed for operatinp the dies, it isevident that the machine may be made in suitable portable form in whichthe arbor might be driven in by hand power, and therefore we do notconline ourselves to that forni of our machine in which the die andarbor are combined other than by their direct connection in the act ofexpanding. v

While We prefer the construction shown as being most excellently adaptedfor the purposes of our invention, it is evident that the details maybemodified without departing irom the spirit of the invention.

Having now described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. 15 pipe tlnngine' device consist of an annular die divided intosections and nuving its ions provided with circmnfercntinl ribs foracting on the interior surl'ncc of the tube to be expanded, combinedwith means for ex panding the nnnulur die. and menus indc n-ndent of theannular die iixcdly supported independent of the work acted upon torsnstnining the die against longitudinal movement. toward the pipe or theflange in which it is to be expanded and as guide for the pipe forinsuring its propcr adjustment longltudiunlty with relation to the die.

2 A pipe flung-in device consisting of an expanding annnlnr die dividedinto sections and having the outer sur faces of its sections providedwith circumferential relninint; flanges and rihstruclurc for ncting onthe interior surfnce of the tube to be expanded and their inner surfacesvtapered to form a tnpcred aperture through the die, comhin'cd with atapered :irhor to expand the die, on nuniilnr frame fixedly supportedindependent of the work and die and hnvilu, a tint annular stil'l'ucengninst which the thing-es of rne die rest to hold the die againstlongitudinal movement townrd the work while permitting lntcruladjustment of the die sections and of .the die as a whole relatively tothe frame and powcr devices connected with the :innuln r fixed frame forreciprocating the tapered nrbor.

8. In a pipe Hanging nincliine, an expanding annular die divided intosections and hnvim, the outer surfaces of it's sections provided withcircuml'erentin] ribs for acting on the intcrinr surface of the tube tobe expanded and their inner so: lnrcs tapered to form a tapered aperturethrough the die, combined with means for expanding the annulnr dicconsisting of u tapering arbor, power devices for reciprtu-zlllng thcnrbor. lixcd moans for lu'ildirm,- the annular die in :ilincincnt withthe nrbor and supporting it against movement away from the power deviceswhen the arbor is moved forward in tho nct of expanding the die.

4. A pipe llnueine' device consi .in,:; of on expanding on nulor diedivided into sections and having; the outt url'nccs oi its sectionsprovided with at least three circumt'oreutiol ribs for noting on theinterior surface of which the outer ribs arc of loss height than theinner ribs of the tube, to be expanded, combincd with lll it'ilS forexpanding; the annular die and holding it in lixed position, and acirculur spring u'm-cd to the several sections for normally holding lhcmin collnpsed position. i

.7. pipc longing die consisting of an nnnulnr structurc radially dividedinto sections and bnvinp; the outer surface of the sections providedwith an outwardly extending unnulnr rib of small cross section fornoting upon the interior surface of the pipe within the flange, combinedwith a lixcd support sustained in position independently of the work tohold the die 'niust longitudinal movement, nnd power devices connectedwith the lixed support for expanding lhc dic nnd without puttingpressure upon the pipe in the dircclion of its length.

d. A pipe hanging die consisting of an annular flanged structure rndinlly divided into s Lions and, having the outer surface of the sectionsprovided with an outwardly extending; nunulnr rib -ol' smnll crosssection for acting upon hc interior surt'ncc ot' the pipe within the'ihrngc and radial dances to prcvonl longitudinal shitting, coinbincdwith an annular permanently fixed abutment ring supported independent ofthe work having :1 flat l'nce against which the flanges rest and relt'ively to which the die may adjust itself in all transverse directions,and n. tapering nrbor l'or c.\'pnmlin;. the die.

7. ln :1 pipe thine-inc machine, the combination of n iixed noutmcntring, supported iudrmemhant oi the work, a llnne'ed dic rcmovnhlyresting inst the nbntmcnl. ring and divided rndinlly into sectioi lll(lsaid sections having their snmllcr ends extended through the :ihutmeniring and provided with rircuml'orenlinl ribs beyond the ring, ml: isindependent of tho abutment ring; to hold the sections of the die io;'(.l'll(!t' and an :irbor for expanding the din.

s. ln'n pipe Hanging machine, the ('tllill llllililllll or" a hydrauliccylinder and plunger, :1 housing; rigidly connected to the cylinder, nuabutment ring rcniovn hly titled to the housii n thinned die rustingagainst the abutment ring,

their smaller ends extended through the nbuimcnl. ring, and housing andprovided with circumi'creniinl ribs ieyond the ring, and un nrbor forexpanding the die (1; ried by the plunger.

1). In it pipe tlnnging mnebinc. :1 bed combiucd with two annularhousings bolted to the bed, a hydraulic cylinder secured lo one of thehous t bolls connecting the two housings, an abutment riue' .irried bythe other housing, :in expanding nnnulnr thinning dic resting iguinsl.the nhutmcnl ring. a plunger tor the cylinder, and lnpor :lrbor cnrricdby. the plunger and movnblc through the ihlllgillg' dic.

In testimony of which invention, wc hnve hereunto set our hands i I.lUllN ll. ALLEN.

FRANKLIN M. IA'P'IIGHSON. Witnesses:

n. M. lfimmr, .\l, r. Junscorm.

